Held only in odd-numbered years, the Frankfurt show is a premiere European new-car festival, and as such many of the vehicles shown will never see the light of day on American shores. But tehre’s still plenty there to keep us Yanks occupied. Show organizers say there were 63 different vehicle debuts, including concept cars and production vehicles. We narrowed that list down to our five favorites, with our sole criteria being what we’ll likely see in the U.S., and how much we loved the concept.

5. Land Rover DC-100 Sport Concept

Slated to pick up the sacred “Defender” name, the DC-100 puts an interesting spin on Land Rover’s workhorse. All of the expected styling cues such as a short, square profile and the signature exposed spare tire are present on Land Rover’s newest depiction of the iconic Defender. Sadly, the Defender won’t hit the production line until 2015 and to add insult to injury, the company is still on the fence about it coming stateside.

4. Kia GT

Kia continues its quest to change its image with compelling new vehicles at a torrid pace. The Kia GT will increase those numbers dramatically once it enters production in 2015. The rear-wheel drive GT has a turbocharged 395-horsepower 3.3-liter V-6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, plus styling that’s as sexy as anything else seen on the Frankfurt show floor.

3. Fisker Surf

The Surf is a wagon version of Fisker’s luxurious Karma four-door plug-in hybrid. With a big rear-end the Surf can hold its fair share of cargo with 28.9 cubic feet of space for goods when the rear seats are folded down. However, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine the Surf is capable of producing 403 horsepower, which may disrupt daily errands. The same electric powertrain system that propels the Fisker Karma also pulls the Surf along and contributes to the overall horsepower number. The Fisker Surf will go on sale to the public in 2013.

2. Jaguar C-X16

Jaguar’s latest concept has heads turning with its sleek design that bites off styling cues from the up-and-coming C-X75 supercar. What’s even better is that the production version of the C-X16 will cost nowhere near the supercar’s $1 million price tag. What will be included is a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that produces 375 horsepower. Jaguar could have designed the C-X16 to pay tribute to the iconic E-Type but instead went the futuristic route. We think that’s a good choice.

1. Ford Evos

The Ford Evos was the Grand Poobah of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The sleek concept had command of all eyes in the room from the moment it was unveiled. While some interior features won’t make it to the production line Ford says don’t expect the front end to change much. Two gull wing doors swing up to the sky allowing passengers to climb in and out while two smaller doors serve as cargo hatches. While Ford hasn’t come out and officially said the 2013 concept Evos will hit the production line, with looks like it has and the reception it received, how can it not?